Cedar Counseling & Wellness Project Reveal | the Waiting Area, part 2

When it comes to any space that we design, we want people to walk in and immediately feel safe and at peace. This is especially true for the counselors offices that we regularly work on but even more so for Cedar Counseling & Wellness. A 3,000 sq. ft. counselors office based in Annapolis, MD this expansive space boasts two waiting areas and seven counselors offices. With such a large space, it could easily feel overwhelming for clients walking through doors, but with our strategic and thoughtful design, we were able to make it into a calming retreat. Today, we are walking you through the design of waiting area 02!

THE BEFORE:

I’m not sure what the furniture lay-out was like with the previous tenants, but the vibe of this space wasn’t exactly “welcoming.” The charcoal gray walls made it feel smaller and closed in than it really is.

One of the fun things about this commercial space is that it came with a HUGE kitchen! Having dieticians as part of her counseling team, this was a perfect fit. The only thing is that this kitchen needed a lot of love.

AFTER:

Walking into waiting area 01, we wanted clients to feel safe and secure, while with waiting area 02, we wanted something a bit more bright, and open. Being a multi-use space: waiting area, yoga studio, kitchen, walk way, etc., the design needed to serve a multitude of purposes. As is the case, we created a seating arrangement that provides plenty of walkability (to the counselor’s offices) while still having the ability to be ability to be reconfigured, if needed.

This waiting area definitely has a bit more of a “boho” vibe than the first one, but only slightly. Centered in the middle of the room are two of the comfiest, white sofas that you’ve ever sat in, placed back to back with a console in between. Across from each is a gorgeous pair of silver, velvet accent chairs with a contemporary, wooden accent table in between. The “boho” really comes into play with the decor… air plants; river rocks; woven, having baskets, etc.

While it had initially been the plan to hang woven pendants, the budget allowed just for woven baskets. None the less, they bring in an important warmth and whimsical touch to the space.

Being a multi-use space, we wanted waiting area 02 to feel comfortable and accessible but also functional (i.e. able to be altered for an evening yoga class).

In the beginning phases of the design plan, we went back and forth on what we wanted the kitchen area to look at. Jarring backsplash aside, the bones of this commercial kitchen were good and so in the end all we really did was paint the existing backsplash white and bring in some beautiful, wooden counter chairs. Now, the dieticians on staff have the perfect space to meet with their clients!

Probably the most feminine and whimsical of all the spaces, waiting area 02 is the perfect walk through space to the surrounding counselors offices. With all of the clients that Cedar Counseling & Wellness sees, it was important to provide enough room.

INTERIOR DESIGN: Making Room for Peace | PHOTOGRAPHY: Jenna Miller Photography